We were just discussing The Big Bang Theory at work, and one of my co-workers asked if icespark, an aerospace engineer, had a favorite character on the show, and if it was Sheldon, most people's favorites. I told him I didn't know who was her favorite (although Wolowitz has the closest job to hers), but that it probably wasn't Sheldon, who had this to say about her chosen profession:

"Engineering - this is where the semi-skilled workers realize the work of better minds. Hello, Oompah-Loompahs of science."

I was sooo amused at how insulted and comically annoyed Icespark was by that line on the show. It makes me laugh even now.

I'm not entirely sure who my favorite is; I like Leonard, but he's a serious dick a lot of the time (as are all the male characters and most of the female ones). I think, if it comes to it, that I'd have to say Bernadette is my favorite overall (though Sheldon's mom, despite her religiosity, holds a place close to my heart, too), with Leonard being my least unfavorite of the guys.

Side note: I've been rewatching the spiritual ancestor of TBBT, 3rd Rock From The Sun, and it was a hoot to see the woman who plays Leonard's mom playing a very similar character in a guest role there. (3rd Rock is just as good -- and just as painful -- as I remembered it being. Give it props, though; it's got William Shatner playing the best role he ever had.)

I do love Sheldon's mom, and I remember 3rd Rock From The Sun fondly ("The same thing happened to me!"). I mostly identify with Leonard, especially since I already identified with him on Roaseanne when I was young and was dating someone very much like Sara Gilbert's character (on that show. As an adult I'm usually attracted to women like Sara Gilbert's character on TBBT).